Julia (nee Prohaska) Vanderheite, age 92, of Linwood Avenue, North Tonawanda, died Tuesday, September 4, 2007 at her home under the loving care of her family, after a long illness. Born April 10, 1915 on Linwood Avenue in North Tonawanda, she was the daughter of the late Peter Prohaska and Anna (nee Kresch) Prohaska Nachreiner and step-daughter of the late John Nachreiner. She was married to Franklin Vanderheite in 1934 at Ascension Church, and the couple chose to build a home on Linwood Avenue, just down the street from Julia's mother and step-father. Their children attended Gratwick School, as had Julia. She had been a president of the former Gratwick School PTA and was a member of the North Tonawanda Garden Club and the Home Bureau. She was also a volunteer in the Gift Shop at DeGraff Memorial Hospital and loved caring for and being with her grandchildren. Mrs. Vanderheite loved gardening and artistic activities. In later years, Julia and Franklin spent winters on the west coast of Florida, with lively visits from their children and grandchildren. Her husband, Franklin Vanderheite, died in 1992; she was the mother of the late Donald Vanderheite, who died in 1944, and Richard Vanderheite, who died in 1995. She was the sister of the late Joseph Prescott, Mary Green, Anne Bullard, Alice Bellis and Katherine Palmros.

She is survived by two daughters, Lynn (Carl) Olsen and Karen (Lester) Shiesley; two sons, Gerald (Sheila Flanagan) Vanderheite and David (Joanne) Vanderheite; a sister, Helen (William) Bowman; and a special sister-in-law, Lillian (Clyde) Schulte. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

There will be no visitation. Family and friends are invited to join for a Mass of Christian Burial, which will be celebrated at 10 AM Friday at Ascension R.C. Church on Robinson Street in North Tonawanda. Interment will be cared for privately at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. If desired, memorials to Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy, P.O. Box 444, North Tonawanda, NY 14120-0444, are preferred by the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Hamp Funeral Home, Inc., Tonawanda.